I was reading Jeremiah 17. God was faithful in using it in my life again.
I, the LORD, probe into people’s minds.
I examine people’s hearts.
I deal with each person according to how he has behaved.
I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.Jeremiah 17:10
As I read this, I thought I do not want God to deal with me based upon what is in my mind and heart. A verse earlier the LORD told us that “The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it?” This I know based upon personal reflection.
Earlier in verse two God talks about the children’s dedication to the goddess Asherah. I thought why do they serve this god? It is not like this god can answer or do anything to help them. Then I asked that of my own life. The things in my life that replace God cannot do anything. Why do I serve them? My mind is incurably bad. There is nothing I can do. This work belongs to Jesus Christ.
The LORD challenges people to put their trust in Him. “I will put a curse on people who trust in mere human beings,” verse five says. But “My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.” verse seven says.
That is our desperate prayer. LORD, change people’s hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. I do not want justice. I want grace.